A lot of expensive knives, but what about cheap ones?

Value is subjective. Some of my favorite knives are inexpensive.

Currently getting to know a Buck Small Selkirk Folder I recently picked up for somewhere in the low $30s.

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craytab said:
Do a search. Lots of threads on inexpensive knives. The ones I have and carry the most are the ontario Utilitac II, Kershaw Tremor, and Kershaw Thermite. Others to look at are the RAT 1 & 2. On any given day the knife I carry could be $25 to $485. All have their place. If the value is there it does not matter the price.
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It's almost magical but I have all of the knives you mentioned there, save the Rat-2. The Tremor is pretty epic, a lot of good quality steel for not a lot of $$$.
 
I was going to get a CR Sebenza once. Heard the S35V holds an edge real good. Then I got to thinking, the better a blade holds an edge, the harder it is probably to sharpen, so no Sebenza. The thing with inexpensive knives is you got to know what to look for. With expensive knives, lack of knowledge can get you a $500 knife that's only as good as a hundred dollar knife. That would suck but atleast hundred dollar knives hold together well. With cheap knives, you could spend 20 dollars on something built as well as a hundred dollar knife or you could get something that breaks and possibly cuts off a limb in the process. It's good you came here to check. You generally can't go wrong with Buck or Victorinox.
 
I was in the same position when I joined. One thing I learned is that there is Cheap, and there is Crap. Those are not mutually inclusive or exclusive. There are plenty of reviews and guys who can let you know if a knife is worth your hard earned. I think its better to have knives you can use, rather than a bucket of crap that you don't trust. You've got a good set so far. Set yourself a milestone, say once a year, end of semester, whatever, and keep a running list. I've had that for a few years now and either knives drop off, or fall lower down the priority. It helps kill that impulse buy problem, since you know how long, and really sets in your mind which knife to buy this time. Also keep you eye on the exchange, once you get a rep here, you'll be able to get some good bargains on used blades. You will find which members use knives like you do, and so who's uses and opinions work best with what you want. You'll find people to disagree, and those who just want to affirm themselves by agreeing with you.

There is nothing worse than buyers remorse, and the best way to solve that is to look here first. helps you avoid fakes and duds.

you will find your taste in knives eventually, and it may change. But while funds are tight remember that you are buying toys. they won't make you money, at best you might need them for work or play, but they are toys, and if you let them, they will take every dollar. And you only have two hands. But you never know, I have traded even low end knives just to get something with a different feel.
 
gadgetgeek said:
I was in the same position when I joined. One thing I learned is that there is Cheap, and there is Crap. Those are not mutually inclusive or exclusive. There are plenty of reviews and guys who can let you know if a knife is worth your hard earned. I think its better to have knives you can use, rather than a bucket of crap that you don't trust. You've got a good set so far. Set yourself a milestone, say once a year, end of semester, whatever, and keep a running list. I've had that for a few years now and either knives drop off, or fall lower down the priority. It helps kill that impulse buy problem, since you know how long, and really sets in your mind which knife to buy this time. Also keep you eye on the exchange, once you get a rep here, you'll be able to get some good bargains on used blades. You will find which members use knives like you do, and so who's uses and opinions work best with what you want. You'll find people to disagree, and those who just want to affirm themselves by agreeing with you.

There is nothing worse than buyers remorse, and the best way to solve that is to look here first. helps you avoid fakes and duds.

you will find your taste in knives eventually, and it may change. But while funds are tight remember that you are buying toys. they won't make you money, at best you might need them for work or play, but they are toys, and if you let them, they will take every dollar. And you only have two hands. But you never know, I have traded even low end knives just to get something with a different feel.
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Thanks.

Sent from my SM-G530W using Tapatalk
 
One thing about hobbies like knives, even if you consider a knife a necessity; if you have one or two that cut and does what you need, you don't have to spend your last dollar on a new knife regardless of what you might be lusting for (Endura, PM2, Manix2, Sage, Benchmade 940, Sebenza, etc.). It is good to have goals; personal goals, education, job, acquisition goals, things you want to do and achieve. Stick to the basics and try to strike a balance between things you want and things you need. We all have preferences and opinions on what we think are best or best for the buck or whatever spin you want to put on it. Ultimately, it is about you. Just be a good man and you'll go far.
 
Welcome to Blade Forums, Ragnar!

I love "High Value" knives, but I try to avoid calling them "cheap". Cheap seems to have a different connotation entirely. There are $15 High Value knives, like Opinels and SAKs, and there are $300 High Value knives like some of the lower priced Reates and WEs. With their outstanding ergos and decent materials, a Spyderco Delica or ZT0562 could be considered a High Value knife. There are High Value knives from almost every manufacturer at any price point. Some would argue that a custom knife can't be a High Value knife, but there can be significant personal value to the owner. Some knives are considered High Value because or what they cost in perspective to where they're made, like the Vantage, Skyline or Link. All are made in the USA in a costly manufacturing environment, yet remain surprisingly affordable.

A "Cheap" knife is one you picked up at the truck stop and the blade stays in OK, just so long as you squeeze the handle real tight when you use it. :p Good thing its serrated so you can make all those saw cuts!

I have many fairly expensive knives but yesterday I carried my $50 Kizer V3 Vigor. Last week I carried my $30 RealSteel H6-S1. I use all my knives and don't carry a High Value knife folder because I plan to beat on it that day, I carry them because I want to.:D
 
Opinel and Victorinox are some of my most carried knives :) Nothing wring with those... they're awesome knives.
 
Opinel, Mora, Svord, Victorinox, Wegner, etc etc. Lots of choices for budget knives. :thumbup:

Plus, buying used off of the forums here can be very reasonable too. :cool:

I'm on my fourth Endura 4 and would definitely recommend trying one. Just be careful though because knife buying is a slippery slope LOL! ;):D
 
Czechmate said:
Opinel, Mora, Svord, Victorinox, Wegner, etc etc. Lots of choices for budget knives. :thumbup:

Plus, buying used off of the forums here can be very reasonable too. :cool:

I'm on my fourth Endura 4 and would definitely recommend trying one. Just be careful though because knife buying is a slippery slope LOL! ;):D
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Ahaha. Endura 4 is my next goal
 
Want vs. need is an argument you're going to have with yourself many times in your life my friend. That's what makes getting something you really want such a good feeling. Especially if you don't have a big budget for stuff like this. First of all, it's commendable that you help your mom out and you should be proud. Second of all, knives come and go. Someone mentioned earlier that tastes change and that's very true. I HAD to have a PM2, now I barely carry it and I carry a $20 Buck bantam a whole lot. A good thing about cheap knives is they can narrow down what you want before you spend a bunch of money. I could have bought an endura and figured out I don't like Spydercos all that much instead of finding that out after spending $100 plus on the PM2.

You can't go wrong with anything that's been mentioned so far, just do your homework and don't be afraid to ask questions. These guys are amazingly helpful....
 
JD Bear said:
Want vs. need is an argument you're going to have with yourself many times in your life my friend. That's what makes getting something you really want such a good feeling. Especially if you don't have a big budget for stuff like this. First of all, it's commendable that you help your mom out and you should be proud. Second of all, knives come and go. Someone mentioned earlier that tastes change and that's very true. I HAD to have a PM2, now I barely carry it and I carry a $20 Buck bantam a whole lot. A good thing about cheap knives is they can narrow down what you want before you spend a bunch of money. I could have bought an endura and figured out I don't like Spydercos all that much instead of finding that out after spending $100 plus on the PM2.

You can't go wrong with anything that's been mentioned so far, just do your homework and don't be afraid to ask questions. These guys are amazingly helpful....
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Yes i have met a lot of great people here. Lots of interesting and useful information here. I have ocd and i get really upset if i ruin something new and shiny. Its sad but i cant do anything about it
 
There's a reason that Victorinox and Opinel are the worlds largest knife companies. Either one alone makes and sells more knives world wide than both Spyderco and Benchmade combined. We here on a knife forum are the 1% of the people that are obsessed about knives and will spend large amounts on a knife. For the rest of the 99% of the people in the world, SAK's and Opinel's get it all done. There' a reason your father would not let you have his Opinel. Few knives, regardless of price, will cut like an Opinel. For a money challenged student, Opinel makes a fine choice as a knife. With a little sandpaper you can re-shape it however you like. You can get them in any size from keychain to folding machete. Opinel has a history going back over 100 years, like Victorinox, so they know what they are doing.

Another knife to check out is the Douk-Douk. It too has a long history in parts of tyne world that is not exactly settled. Originally intended as a trade knife for the south Pacific, it became popular all over as a no frills work knife, especially in North Africa. They have a nice thin blade that cuts like an Opinel, and a metal handle that holds up well to rough handling.

The Mercator K55 is another knife with a long history of being a no frills knife for the working man and military. Good rugged construction and thin in the pocket.

But you have to try an Opinel. Since you already have a Victorinox, you may as well get an Opinel and both of the world's most popular knives. A few years ago, Buck made a big fan fair announcement how they made the 10 millionth Buck 110 since it was introduced in 1963. Opinel makes 7 million knives a year for sales world wide.
 
jackknife said:
There's a reason that Victorinox and Opinel are the worlds largest knife companies. Either one alone makes and sells more knives world wide than both Spyderco and Benchmade combined. We here on a knife forum are the 1% of the people that are obsessed about knives and will spend large amounts on a knife. For the rest of the 99% of the people in the world, SAK's and Opinel's get it all done. There' a reason your father would not let you have his Opinel. Few knives, regardless of price, will cut like an Opinel. For a money challenged student, Opinel makes a fine choice as a knife. With a little sandpaper you can re-shape it however you like. You can get them in any size from keychain to folding machete. Opinel has a history going back over 100 years, like Victorinox, so they know what they are doing.

Another knife to check out is the Douk-Douk. It too has a long history in parts of tyne world that is not exactly settled. Originally intended as a trade knife for the south Pacific, it became popular all over as a no frills work knife, especially in North Africa. They have a nice thin blade that cuts like an Opinel, and a metal handle that holds up well to rough handling.

The Mercator K55 is another knife with a long history of being a no frills knife for the working man and military. Good rugged construction and thin in the pocket.

But you have to try an Opinel. Since you already have a Victorinox, you may as well get an Opinel and both of the world's most popular knives. A few years ago, Buck made a big fan fair announcement how they made the 10 millionth Buck 110 since it was introduced in 1963. Opinel makes 7 million knives a year for sales world wide.
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Im just not a big fan of how it looks too. They are generally round and i think it will feel weird in a pocket. I have a few cheaper gerbers, so i just want a more expensive knife so i can feel like one of you guys
 
Another fun & inexpensive knife is the Higonokami; this is the one I had (bought it at Lee Valley)... Not my pic fwiw. So many different and awesome versions. :thumbup:

Higonokami_02.JPG
 
^Second that. I got one as well (different from that one but just in looks) and it's cool. I can't say I've used it a ton, but it is small, inexpensive, interesting, and fun.
 
Ragnar Lothbrok said:
I have been thinking of an Endura4. Anyone ever had one? Is it good? I will have to get it during some holiday so I have an excuse to blow so much money ahaha
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No, I do not believe anyone around here has ever mentioned that knife. ;)

It, along with the Benchmade Griptilian, are probably the two most highly respected and recommended "reasonably priced EDCs" here or anywhere.
 
Ragnar Lothbrok said:
one hand trekker which i got 2 years ago as a gift, and it is pretty badass, no one would laugh at that ahaha
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It, along with all Victorinox SAKs are very nice, inexpensive knives. Not to be laughed at, but certainly not because they "badass." They are the exact opposite of "badass."

They are well made, highly functional knives.

As is an Opinel. Which you, no doubt, could have bought for the amount of money you spent on that padded "tactical" case.

Get one of those. Get a Mercator. Get a Mora. Get a RAT 1. Get a Kabar Dozier Folding Hunter. etc etc etc.

You are currently buying "cheap", not "inexpensive."

Those are different things.
 
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